The Brain Power Conference brings together experts from the fields of neuroscience, education, psychology, parenting and media to help parents understand how a child’s brain is “wired” and what they can do to help their kid grow and develop. But the conference is nothing without our partners – and TFS, Canada’s International School, is a prime example.

Who They Are
TFS – Canada’s International School is a bilingual, co-ed school that educates students from age 2 to university entrance. TFS provides its students with an international perspective, through the combined strengths of the curricula of the Ministry of Education of Ontario, the Ministry of Education of France and the International Baccalaureate programs.

We’ve been lucky enough to have taken a tour of the TFS Toronto campus – which covers acres of ravine and school grounds near the heart of the city. What struck us about being on campus was the energy of the kids and teachers. Visiting the ‘media lab’ we saw kids learning literacy skills for this century – how to use digital media and be aware as consumers.

A Focus on Neuroeducation
TFS is am amazing partner for the Brain Power Initiative through their exploration of how scientist’s’ deepening understanding of a child’s brain can actually help in the class room. TFS has actively supported research in the field, and has recently been involved in a study that examines the “bilingual brain” (a topic to be covered in depth by our keynote speaker, Dr Ellen Bialystok).

The New York Times recently highlighted the ‘bilingual advantage’:

In terms of monolinguals and bilinguals, the big thing that we have found is that the connections are different. So we have monolinguals solving a problem, and they use X systems, but when bilinguals solve the same problem, they use others. One of the things we’ve seen is that on certain kinds of even nonverbal tests, bilingual people are faster. Why? Well, when we look in their brains through neuroimaging, it appears like they’re using a different kind of a network that might include language centers to solve a completely nonverbal problem. Their whole brain appears to rewire because of bilingualism.

Featured Presenter: Dr. John Godfrey
We’re thrilled that in addition to serving on our advisory board, TFS Headmaster Dr. John Godfrey will be presenting at the Brain Power Conference.

Dr. Godfrey is a former editor of The Financial Post; was vice president of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, which specializes in social, economic and scientific issues; is a widely published writer and co-authored The Canada We Want: Competing Visions for the New Millennium; and represented the federal riding of Don Valley West from 1993 to 2008.

Dr. Godfrey will explore how neuroeducation may play a key role in the classroom of the future, and will examine the implications for parents and on wider policy choices as Canada prepares its kids to embrace a future of lifelong learning.

Join Us
Organizations like TFS are what make the Brain Power Conference a powerful combination of voices and insights: we’re not just exploring how child’s brain is “wired” but will be explaining what it means for parents and the future of the classroom. We hope you’ll join us for this landmark event, May 3-4 in Toronto.